Essential oil provides various domestic, industrial, and medicinal benefits due to which many people use it for centuries.
They are safe, natural and cost-effective for many health problems.
Similarly, an intriguing essential oil named as blood orange oil is recommended by many aromatherapists to treat mainly antidepressant and anxiety along with other health problems.
One of the surprising property of blood orange essential oil is that it has aphrodisiac properties, making it stand out when compared to other essential oils.
Blood orange oil with its fresh fruity, citrus scent contains chemical constituents that provide a calming and relaxing feel to the body.
Keep reading this article to know more about this amazing essential oil.
Also, in this article, you will find:
- Why is it called ‘Blood Orange’ essential oil?
- What does Blood Orange oil contain?
- 7 health benefits of Blood Orange oil
- How to use Blood Orange essential oil for skin
Why Is It Called ‘Blood Orange’ Essential Oil?
Blood orange oil, also known by the name Citrus sinensis, is a hybrid of Sweet Orange that presents a brighter, slightly more tart aroma than that of Sweet Orange.
Around in the 18th century, blood oranges were first cultivated in China and the southern Mediterranean as stated by many historical accounts.
Blood orange oil appears to have a red-pigmented interior and a sweeter taste when compared to orange and when squeezed, the juice is often reddish.
Hence it’s named “blood orange.”
Blood orange is a hybrid most likely between the pomelo and tangerine is known to produce richer essential oil amongst many other essential oils.
This essential oil is obtained from the blood orange peels by cold compression.
Many blood orange-flavored soft drink concentrate that comes in packets contains this oil, mainly present in the liquid of the drink.
What Does Blood Orange Essential Oil Contain?
The chemical composition of Blood orange oil includes:
- Alpha-pinene
- Chrysanthemin (cyanidin 3-O glucoside)
- Citronellol
- Geraniol
- Sabinene
- Myrcene
- Limonene
- Linalool
- Neral
Their red pigment, anthocyanin, is an antioxidant that is rare in the rest of the citrus family.
7 Health Benefits of Blood Orange Oil
1. Overcome Anxiety During Labor
Labor is considered an extremely stressful condition for pregnant women where stress can lead to negative consequences such as uteroplacental insufficiency and angina [1].
Many methods are available to handle women’s anxiety during labor, but aromatherapy is found to be the most effective method to help women overcome their anxiety during such critical conditions [1].
Studies have shown that orange scent is a suitable aroma to decrease anxiety for women who experience stress in labor [1].
In the study conducted in a hospital in Iran, almost 100 pregnant women were chosen to test the effect of this scent.
The results showed that the essential oil along with other essential oil increased the pulse rate and lowered the systolic blood pressure [1].
Thus proving that the orange scent may be useful in childbirth units to help women during labor and decreases their anxiety and tension [1].
SUGGESTED READ: 12+ Essential Oils for Anxiety that Work (with How to Use Them)
2. Prevents Infections
Organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites cause many infectious diseases [2].
Staphylococcus aureus, well known as the pathogen most often and prevalently involved in skin and soft tissue infections [3].
When there is a cut or abrasion, the wound can become septic due to this kind of bacterial infection [3].
Blood orange oil is used as an excellent disinfectant for wounds as it kills many types of microbes or disease-causing organisms.
The essential oils that are citrus-based oil contain wonderful antimicrobial properties making it a great disinfectant.
This kind of essential oil helps people to avoid both, septic fungal infections along with other infections by inhibiting microbial growth and disinfecting the wounds.
This property of blood orange even makes it great to treat mouth ulcers and sore throat.
SUGGESTED READ: 9 Coconut Oil Remedies for Vaginal, Skin, and Oral Yeast Infections
3. Antispasmodic
Spasms occur in many parts of the body like the pelvic organs and many different types of muscles in the body leading to different symptoms [4].
It can occur from nervous twitches, muscular cramps, convulsions, and even continuous coughing.
Although spasm is short-lived and occurs abruptly, it’s very painful [4].
Hence, due to antispasmodic ability to give relief from such type of spasms mainly through their action on smooth muscles, are used.
Blood orange essential oil is usually antispasmodic providing relief from such body spasms.
This kind of essential oil relaxes the muscles and nerves thereby, decreasing the pain.
Even many researchers suggest aromatherapy to patients just before a surgical treatment to regulate preoperative anxiety [5].
Applying aromatherapy prevents many problems from nervous reactions throughout the surgery.
SUGGESTED READ: 11 Natural Ways to Cure Muscle Spasms in Stomach & Reasons
4. Aphrodisiac
For a very long time, all kinds of men and women have sought aphrodisiacs, agents that arouse or increase sexual response or desire [6].
Surprisingly, till now aphrodisiacs maybe the one thing among many popular things that cross all barriers like the race, culture, ethnicity, age.
The search for such kind of prescription or remedy that can enhance sexual function and treat male erectile dysfunction is an obsession throughout known history [7].
Probably one of the most astonishing that that blood orange oil is noted for is its aphrodisiac qualities curing problems like decreased libido, impotence, erectile dysfunction and also the loss of interest in sex.
By using such aromatic essential oils, it is known to boost sexual desire easily.
Aromatic essential oils have such an effective property due to their mechanism of action that involves the integration of this oil into a biological signal of the receptor cells in the nose when inhaled [8].
When these signals reach the brain, they cause the brain to release neuro messengers like serotonin, endorphin, and so forth, to link our nervous and other body systems assuring the desired change and to provide a feeling of relief [8].
As a result, using blood orange oil enhances feelings of wellness within the brain.
5. Treats Headache
Over millions of people all around the world suffer from a headache every day.
However, when it comes to a headache, they’re not sure what to blame!
Without any thought, people turn to painkillers for treating their nasty headache.
However, what they ignore are the ugly side effects like kidney and liver damage.
The best thing about opting for essential oils for headache treatment is that they are safe and they get to the root of the main problem instead of temporarily getting rid of it.
Using aromatherapy such as essential blood oil provides relief, aid circulation and reduce stress decreasing headache and also migraine pain.
Just by massaging the oil around the forehead relaxes the body and mind.
SUGGESTED READ: 12 Proven Ways to Get Rid of a Headache (with Step By Step)
6. Improves Sleep Quality
The importance of sleep in one’s life is vital for well being, and its importance is incomparable to anything else!
It not only helps you to feel good when you get a sound sleep but also protects your mental, physical health, and quality of life at the same time [9].
Unfortunately, many people fail to get a sound sleep, thereby affecting their life tremendously.
Despite the problems one face in their life related to sleep, one can always turn to aromatherapy to treat their problems.
Another beneficial property that blood orange oil provides is that it acts as a natural sleep aid due to its relaxing properties.
SUGGESTED READ: 13 Essential Oils For Better Sleep Everyday (I Like No#2 Most)
7. Carminative Properties
Carminative is an agent that removes excess gas from the intestine.
The gas formed in the intestines moves upward into the esophagus that causes chest pain, indigestion, and discomfort.
Blood orange oil helps to cope up with such problems by relaxing the abdominal and anal muscles, thereby letting the gas escape.
A common complaint by taking pills for treating gas problems is the formation of additional gas.
However, such problems never seem to occur in patients who opt for aromatherapy as it prevents the formation of additional gas, making it great for treating such problems.
SUGGESTED READ: 11 Home Remedies for Excessive Gas in Dogs
How to Use Blood Orange Oil?
Recipe 1: For Stress and Anxiety
As mentioned, blood orange oil reduces tension and anxiety. Here is how to use it for treating such problems:
What You’ll Need:
- 4-5 drops of blood orange oil
- Warm bubble bath
Recommended Directions:
- Add few drops of the essential oil to the bubble bath
- Soak yourself in it for 30 minutes
- This helps to relax the mind and body getting rid of tension and anxiety due to the calming property of blood orange
Recipe 2: For Healthy Skin
Blood orange oil also works well for promoting collagen and increasing blood circulation in the skin.
It also helps to calm dry, irritated, and acne-prone skin.
Below is a Sea Salt and Essential Oil Scrub to brighten your skin using blood orange oil:
What You’ll Need:
- One-two tablespoons of sea salt or sugar
- Few drops of apricot seed oil (or any other essential oil)
- Four to five drops of blood orange oil
- Few drops of lemon juice (optional)
Recommended Directions:
- Mix the salt or sugar with drops of both the essential oils
- Gently use the scrub on your face in circular motions
- Leave this scrub on your face for 5 minutes
- Wash it off with water
- You can even add few drops of lemon juice to lighten your complexion or scars
This scrub helps to exfoliate your skin by removing the dead cells, providing a clean and brightening the complexion.
SUGGESTED READ: 13 Best Essential Oils for Skin Glow
Bottom Line
If you want an improvement in your health problems without having any side effects, you may want to consider aromatherapy.
You can use blood orange essential oil because of its many health benefits and uses.
This cost-effective, natural and safe treatment is great without causing any side effects.
Read next: 5 Best Essential Oils for Emotional Healing & Spiritual Bliss
